Edendale recognised for supportive, inclusive volunteer program

Published on 16 December 2024

Images show a red-bearded man with a shy smile, with another man with a light beard who is also smiling. They are performing farm tasks outdoors including watering, helping with morning tea, and handling soil. They are wearing hi-visibility work wear with a hat and boots.

For almost 30 years, community volunteers have made Nillumbik’s Edendale Farm the cherished community and environmental hub that it has become today.

It is because of these countless hours of dedication that Edendale Farm has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Volunteering Victoria Awards, in recognition of its integrated and innovative approach to reducing barriers to participation for people with disability.

Vying for an award in the category of Inclusive Volunteering, Edendale has a strong record in empowering people with disability to develop their confidence in a team environment, on a working farm, supported by a suite of inclusive resources.

The Inclusive Volunteering Award finalists have demonstrated excellence in “inclusive and accessible volunteering practices that increased volunteer diversity or improved participation for a greater range of community members”.

Program participant Kevin, who has been involved in the Edendale AWE (Accessible Work Experience) Program for the last two terms, was recently offered a permanent weekly volunteer position at the farm. Kevin has become an important part of the large Friday morning volunteer team, with up to 20 volunteers at the farm.

“I like all my jobs, but I like watering the best. I like making the morning tea for the other people. I like helping Emma empty the pots, I really like the farm,” Kevin said.

While at Edendale, Kevin is supported by Gary who is one of the trained pool of support workers from St John of God Accord who support a range of work experience students and volunteers, and help out with the wide variety of work at Edendale.

According to Gary, the Edendale AWE Program and the Personalised Volunteer Roles offer opportunities to develop skills and a solid work ethic in an enjoyable and inclusive environment.

Nillumbik Mayor John Dumaresq said the nomination was a fantastic recognition of the work the entire team puts in to manage the program.

“This program creates valuable volunteer roles for people with disability, supporting them to contribute to the farm’s success alongside the mainstream volunteer program,” Cr Dumaresq said.

Edendale Ward Councillor Kelly Joy said, “The team at Edendale has done an outstanding job building strong partnerships with St John of God Accord and Council’s Disability Inclusion and Volunteering team. Together, they’ve created a valuable collaboration for our community.”

Volunteers have been an essential part of Edendale for decades with the Farm celebrating 25 years as a community environmental education facility in 2025. Unlike the national post Covid trend, which has seen organisations struggle to find and retain volunteers, Edendale is always working and evolving at maximum capacity.

“I think we provide an environment people don’t want to leave!” said Jo Skuse, Edendale’s Visitor, Safety and Volunteer Officer.

Jo works with local NDIS Service Providers to train support workers, like Gary, who help keep the volunteers safe and involved while at the farm.

Clear communication and safety are priorities, with farm staff leading with a down-to-earth approach. Easy to read instructions, radios and shared morning tea help everyone stay connected.

Roles such as grooming and socialising animals, gardening, keeping the site clean and tidy, feeding and preparing food, collecting eggs and recycling pots at the nursery are personalised for each participant and their goals.

The Volunteer Victoria Award winners will be announced in February 2025.

Image: Volunteer Kevin and his support worker Gary at Edendale Community and Environment Farm